Investigation done by this press at the New England police station revealed from the Local Unit Commander that, indeed, John Sesay escaped from police custody in December 20  2017 and has since been declared wanted.

John Sesay’s aunt who was interviewed by this press disclosed that before his disappearance, he worked for the Tengbeh Town Community Development Organization as program officer. The human rights organization advocates against female genital mutilation, and for the rights, liberties and freedoms of gays, lesbians and transvestites.

Trouble, she said, started for John when a report was made to their organization that the community Chief Imam had impregnated a 13 year old girl. The parents lamented that because they were poor, the Imam wanted to trample on the right of their child.

John’s organization picked up the issue and reported the matter at the New England Ville police station and took up the girl’s course in radio programs. The Imam was arrested and charged to court for sexual penetration of an underage girl.

This caused the Imam to hire a gang of thugs who attacked their office, causing considerable damage whilst demanding for John’s death. The matter died down, but relationship between John’s organization and the community was no longer peaceful and friendly.

In November, John’s organization, his aunt said, got embroiled in another controversial social issue when they were approached by some gays in the community to support them because they faced victimization.

Because John’s organization identified itself with the gays who are considered as outcasts in Sierra Leone society, both Christian and Muslim fanatics targeted them for repeated attacks. Homosexuality and lesbianism are illegal in Sierra Leone and a cultural taboo that enjoys zero tolerance from all shades of society.

According to eye witness, the beach fiesta that was organised for gays and lesbians ended in which they were attacked and beaten.

John was covered in blood with wounds on his body and blood red eyes.They were attacked by a gang of religious fanatics that he narrowly escaped death.

The police team that arrived at the scene, he said, bundled him and other activists into their van and took them to the station where instead of been given medical forms to go to the hospital were abused verbally and physically.

The officer who apparently was under the influence of alcohol fell asleep and John’s friend took the chance to escape with him. Since then, she said, for fear of his life from both the religious fanatics and the police for escaping from custody, he has gone into hiding.